But how big a concern will be it on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans?

Some many not know this, but the Titans actually have a top-10 offense and a running game that is currently ranked third in the NFL behind the resurgent season of DeMaro Murray. Tennessee is fresh off a 476-yard performance in a game in which they scored 35 points.

The Titans (4-5) are also still in the AFC playoff hunt and just like the Packers (4-4) they are in desperate need of a win. But with Matthews out, it becomes a tougher task for Green Bay.

Not only is Matthews one of the Packers best run defenders, he is their best pass rusher. He’s also one of their biggest ball hawks and impact players.

Overall, the Green Bay defense has been sound and ranks seventh in the NFL in yards allowed. But the splash plays have been missing, especially lately and Matthews absence is a big reason why.

With Matthews out, Julius Peppers, Nick Perry and Datone Jones need to step up. Their production has been woeful in recent weeks and with the Packers secondary still banged up, if the pass rush fails, it could be a long day.

In a must-win game, it would be nice to have all hands on deck. But unfortunately, that won’t happen anytime soon for the Packers, who will just have to find a way to survive and live on for another week without Clay.

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I am a Montana sports reporter who is obsessed with the Green Bay Packers. I've been blogging about the team since 2011. My work has been seen on the Bleacher Report, Fox Sports and USA Today, among other websites. Currently, a staff writer at cheeseheadtv.com